Top Detergents

Honey, they shrunk the laundry liquid (and the packaging, too)



Advice You Can Use

ConsumerReports.Org

Subscribe to Consumer Reports.org for Ratings, buying advice and best prices.

    Many of the 34 top laundry detergents we just tested are "2X" or "3X." That laundry lingo does not mean they're supersized. It means they've been reduced to a half or a third of their former volume yet do the same number of loads per package, usually 20 to 30. The top laundry detergents Ratings (available to subscribers) show the best of the bunch, the 19 scoring very good or excellent.

    Why the shrinkage? Detergent makers moved to concentrated formulas for economic and environmental reasons. Procter & Gamble (the largest manufacturer) and Wal-Mart wanted to cut costs for packaging and shipping, and appeal to environmentally aware consumers. The changes required finding new affordable ingredients for the concentrated formulations.

    Photo Gallery

    Laundry Detergent Ratings

    1 of 14    

    For Front-Loading Washers
    Tide 2X Ultra Concentrated with Color Clean Bleach Alternative HE
    This liquid detergent for front-loading washers ranks number one among laundry detergents. For 25 cents a load, you get an "excellent" detergent. Score: 87 / 100

    How we tested. To measure detergent performance, we used 306 8x16-inch cotton flags, each with eight swatches. One swatch on each flag was left unstained; the others had blood, red wine, ring-around-the-collar stuff, dirt, chocolate, grass, and tea. Then we machine-washed the flags in hard water with each detergent in 6-pound loads.

    Using a special instrument, we checked how well each detergent cleaned each stain, how well it kept washed-off soil from redepositing on white swatches, and how well it kept dyes from coloring white swatches.

    Best Supermarket Products

    Supermarket Products


    From food to snacks to household needs, click through our gallery to see which products CR names as supermarket standouts.

      What we found. Some products performed especially well on certain stains. But most people will be looking for products that did best on a wide range of stains, and all in the Ratings (available to subscribers) did well overall. All were OK in preventing redeposition, but all caused some dye transfer.

      CR's take. First, choose a detergent that's right for your type of washer. A conventional detergent will foam too much in a front-loader, and an HE (high efficiency) detergent will be too weak in a top-loader. Then see which products in the Ratings (available to subscribers) fit your budget.

      Three good choices with lower cost are Cheer 2X Ultra Concen-trated Color Guard for High Efficiency HE, Tide 2X Ultra Concentrated Coldwater, and Gain 2X Ultra Concentrated with Bleach Alternative. Prices are based on the largest-size container available.

      More information: Read our latest report on washers and dryers, then refer to our Ratings of front- and top-loading washers and dryers (both available to subscribers) to find the model that's right for your family.

      Photo Gallery

      AP

      More Consumer Reports Best & Worst

      1 of 14    

      From best credit cards to worst diet plans: See the rankings for other hot products by Consumer Reports, so you know exactly what you are getting for your money.

      Copyright © 2002-2008 Consumers Union of U.S., Inc.

      For full access to Ratings and recommendations of appliances, cars & trucks, electronic gear, and much more, subscribe to ConsumerReports.org.

      BACK TO: Consumer Reports: Smart Shopping



      Personal Finance

      Consumer Reports  Personal Finance

      Consumer Reports offers smart tips on keeping money in your pocket.

        Babies & Kids

        Consumer Reports Babies & Kids

        Consumer Reports helps you shop for the best kids products.

          Appliances

          Consumer Reports Small Appliances

          Be smart about your home. Consumer Reports offers the best advice.

            Home Office

            Consumer Reports Home Office

            Smart shopping advice to keep your office humming.

              Electronics

              Consumer Reports  Digital Cameras

              Shopping for electronics is tricky. Find out how to be a smart shopper.